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HVAC Technician
Total cost: $360
Yes
State Licensed?
4,000
Apprentice Hours
3 levels
License Levels
$360
Total Initial Fees
No CE required for CMC-C HVAC contractor license renewal hrs
CE Hours
Required
EPA 608
Get the Tennessee HVAC Technician Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20You must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check. High school diploma or GED
Complete a 4,000-hour apprenticeship (approximately 2 years). Hands-on training under a licensed HVAC professional is essential for gaining the required experience.
Obtain EPA Section 608 certification for handling refrigerants. Available types: Universal, Type I, Type II, Type III. This is a federal requirement for anyone working with refrigerants. Exam fee: $20-$40.
Pass the Tennessee HVAC Mechanical Examination administered by PSI. A score of 70% or higher is required. Exam fee: $110 (combined: $57 Trade portion + $53 Business & Law).
Apply through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Application fee: $250. Submit all required documentation including proof of education, experience, and exam results.
Renew your HVAC license every 2 years. Complete No CE required for CMC-C HVAC contractor license renewal hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $150.
Estimated Total Initial Cost: $360
Application Fee
$250
Initial application fee per TN.gov Contractors Board (covers initial license; no separate license fee). Required for projects $25,000+.
Exam Fee
$110 (combined: $57 Trade portion + $53 Business & Law)
TN HVAC exam: $57 trade portion + $53 Business and Law = $110 combined; $114 if both portions taken together. CMC requires pre-approval; CMC-C does not.
Contractor License
$300
EPA 608 Exam
$20-$40
Federal requirement
Renewal Fee
$200
Renewal every 2 years per TN Contractors Board.
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Tennessee requires HVAC technicians and contractors to be licensed through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
Official Title
HVAC Apprentice
Experience Required
No prior experience required; must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program
Exam Required
No
Supervision Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
HVAC Journeyman
Experience Required
Completion of 4,000 hours of apprenticeship
Exam Required
Yes
Supervision Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
HVAC Contractor
Experience Required
4+ years of licensed experience
Exam Required
Yes
Supervision Required
No
Additional Requirements
Technical School
Training Hours
4,000
Apprentice Hours
2
Years
Training Programs
EPA Section 608 Certification
VerifiedRequired for Refrigerant Handling
Federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerants. Universal certification covers all equipment types.
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
State HVAC Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Exam Name
Tennessee HVAC Mechanical Examination
Open Book
Yes
Exam Details
80
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
NATE Certification
Voluntary but industry-recognized; covers installation and service specialties
Retake Policy
May retake after 30-day waiting period
Overall licensing difficulty: 8/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a hvac license? Check whether your state requires one.
Tennessee has 20% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 857 residents.
Tennessee is one of the most saturated hvac technicians markets in the country.
Tennessee ranks #12 out of 51 states by hvac technicians per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial application fee per TN.gov Contractors Board (covers initial license; no separate license fee). Required for projects $25,000+. | $250 |
Exam Fee TN HVAC exam: $57 trade portion + $53 Business and Law = $110 combined; $114 if both portions taken together. CMC requires pre-approval; CMC-C does not. | $110 (combined: $57 Trade portion + $53 Business & Law) |
Contractor License Fee | $300 |
Renewal Fee Renewal every 2 years per TN Contractors Board. | $200 |
Total Initial Fees $250 state application + $110 combined exams. Excludes insurance, CPA-reviewed financial statement (limits ≤ $3M; audited above), pre-licensing materials, and continuing education. | $360 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
No CE required for CMC-C HVAC contractor license renewal hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$150
Regulatory Board
HVAC licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering code updates, refrigerant handling, energy efficiency, and safety practices.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our hvac license renewal guide.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement
Transfer Details
Tennessee accepts out-of-state HVAC licenses through endorsement if requirements are substantially similar.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
HVAC license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced technicians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Tennessee with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Tennessee requires HVAC contractor licensing for projects over $25,000. The state uses the CMC (Certified Mechanical Contractor) classification and requires both trade and business exams.
EPA Section 608 certification is a federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerants — this applies in all states including Tennessee.
Tennessee requires HVAC contractor licensing for projects over $25,000. The state uses the CMC (Certified Mechanical Contractor) classification and requires both trade and business exams.
HVAC requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Tennessee
See how Tennessee compares: HVAC License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
HVAC Schools in Tennessee
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your HVAC license to Tennessee →
Transfer your HVAC license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
Study guides for the EPA 608 certification and HVAC licensing exams.
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